- Mark my words;
- Obituary – Bernie Styris;
- Awards and acknowledgements;
- Learning opportunities;
- NZ Post – 2014 results;
- Club news;
- Accords;
- Exhibitions;
- Profile – Terry Isaac.
Mark my words
A few words from NZPF President, Mark Benvie
In the last newsletter I referred to the fact that, as a national body, many of NZPF’s functions and responsibilities are quite different to those of local stamp clubs and societies. NZPF and all member societies share the same ultimate objective – to advance generally the enjoyment of philately – however the objectives of NZPF are, necessarily, focussed at a national level rather than a local or regional level.
As membership of NZPF itself is restricted to philatelic societies, clubs and associations (unlike, for example, the American Philatelic Society which is a national body that individuals belong to), responsibility for getting new members along to clubs and societies lies with the local clubs and societies. It is the local clubs and societies around NZ who are best placed to offer the activities, services and fellowship that meets the particular needs and interests of philatelists in their area.
It should really go without saying that NZPF supports and encourages any efforts made by our NZ clubs and societies to maintain existing members and to gain new members. To this end, and as one of the stated objectives of NZPF is to “promote friendly relations, goodwill and good fellowship” among member societies, we would be especially keen to hear about and publicise any initiatives that member clubs and societies have found to be useful in attracting new members. Beyond this, I believe that we all in fact have, as individuals, an interest in promoting our hobby.
From a personal perspective I sometimes wonder if we, as collectors, do ourselves a disservice by not promoting to others the historical, social and aesthetic aspects of what we collect. I am as guilty of this as anyone. However, I have often been amazed at the reaction from non-collectors when I explain what I collect in terms of the connection between history or society and my ‘stuff’ rather than to simply say, in a somewhat shrinking way, I collect stamps! I suggest that you try this it out next time you get the opportunity, you too may be surprised at the reaction you get and there is always the chance of someone else being introduced to the hobby that provides each of us with so much enjoyment.
I can be contacted by email anytime – [email protected]
Editor’s note
After only two editions it is with regret that I have had to relinquish my hold on the reins of this newsletter, with a career opportunity in Australia forcing a relocation which makes it impractical to continue in the role. On a personal note I would like to thank all of those in the NZ philatelic community who have supported me in my development as a collector, administrator, exhibitor and judge and wish NZ philately all the very best for its future.
Bruce Chadderton
Obituary – Bernie Styris
Bernie Styris passed away on 11 June 2014. Bernie’s friendly personality and rapport with anyone he met meant he was much loved within philatelic, flying and bowls circles.
As a philatelist he was a collector with a diverse range of interests, which saw him publish a well-received book on NZ Wage Tax Stamps and contribute significantly on the subject of CALs in the latest RPSNZ Handbook. He was a passionate member of the Waikato Society, holding executive positions since the early 1990s, and a wonderful club night speaker who travelled across the North Island to give talks.
He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by his family and his wide circle of friends and philatelic acquaintances.
Contents
Awards and acknowledgements
NZPF Youth Philatelist of the Year 2014
| This award has been made to Anna McTaggart of the Hutt Valley Junior Stamp Club (HVJSC). Well done Anna!!!Anna has been an active member of the HVJSC since 2008, graduating from a junior collector to a senior youth exhibitor who has achieved creditable marks at national exhibitions with one and two frames exhibits. These exhibits have been accepted for the World Youth Exhibition in Malaysia in December of this year.She is a dedicated youth philatelist who relates well to her peers and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others in the HVJSC. She has attended five youth stamp camps between 2009 and 2013 and attained her Gold Achievement Award in 2013.Anna is also a dedicated member of the local Girls Brigade, achieving her Queen’s Award in December 2013. She is currently a junior leader in her local Brigade.In nominating Anna, Ross Gainsford of the HVJSC, noted that she was a credit to herself and her family, but it is also pertinent to note that her achievements are also a credit to Ross and others who have supported Anna’s philatelic education and endeavours. |  Anna receiving her award from Central region delegate terry Isaac. |
Frank Watter’s Award
The Frank Watters Award is an annual award made by the Taranaki Philatelic Society in recognition of an individual’s contribution to postal history or junior philately.
This year’s winner, nominated by the South Auckland Philatelic Society is Tim Beach. Congratulations Tim!!
 Tim Beach presenting Amy Rosenfeldt with the Rob Hunt Trophy at the recent Youth Stamp Camp in Auckland. |
An abbreviated copy of their nomination is as below; Tim Beach has been involved with youth philately for 23 years, being involved with organisation of the first stamp camp for youth in 1991. Since then he has been a leader at numerous stamp camps and actively involved in the organisation of youth philately at a national level. He has also been an executive member of the Philatelic Youth Council, initiating the Fun Philately publication when it was in magazine format.Tim has encouraged many young collectors to achieve at national level with their exhibits and many have gone on to exhibit overseas. Tim supports youth exhibitors by helping source exhibit material, providing specialised literature, liaising with other adults who specialise in the same field as the collector, providing workshops for exhibiting techniques and obtaining sponsorship from clubs, dealers, charities and individuals so collectors can attend camps Tim is also a national philatelic judge, and has been a commissioner and judge for overseas exhibitions.Currently Tim is the Leader of City of Sails Youth Stamp Club and Chairman of the Philatelic Youth Council. |
Learning opportunities and Exhibitors’ Seminars
There will be two judges and senior/invited exhibitor seminars run in October, in Auckland (11 October) and Wellington (18 October). These are aimed at ongoing skill development of our judges and also to provide senior exhibitors with an opportunity to contribute and ask questions. The program this year includes a discussion on Modern Philately, a new focus of FIP (the international parent body of organised philately) as they seek to establish a suitable time period for this category of exhibiting. In PhilaKorea the Modern exhibits were restricted to >80% of material from the 21st Century, while other countries use time periods of up to 50 years.
NZ Post – 2014 results (NZ Herald 29 August)
New Zealand Post, the state-owned mail delivery service and trading bank owner, reported a 12 percent fall in annual profit as shrinking mail volumes were offset by gains in its Kiwibank and parcel businesses.
Revenue fell 1.6 percent to $1.66 billion, with domestic letter volumes shrinking 7 percent to 642 million and forecast to drop below 500 million in the next three years. Kiwibank lifted net profit 3 percent to $100 million on fatter interest margins and lower provisioning for bad debts.
“The changes we have made are starting to flow through in our financial performance and we expect further improvements from these changes over time,” chief executive Brian Roche said. “However, the continuing decline of letter volumes here and overseas and a highly competitive environment for banking and parcels means we cannot afford to take our foot off the accelerator.”
NZ Post is grappling with the continued slide in the volume of letters posted as consumers switch to the internet, email and social media for everything from paying bills to sending birthday greetings and keeping in touch with loved ones. It embarked on a major transformation programme last year, slashing its workforce and putting greater emphasis on growing its banking business.
Roche told a briefing in Wellington the mail service had clamped down on costs, reducing headcount by about 450 in the year, with the next big reduction to come in July 2015 when the frequency of delivery is reduced. Group expenditure fell 7.2 percent to $1.51 billion in the year.
Club news
North Shore
The North Shore Philatelic Society’s Annual Competitive exhibition will be held this year on Saturday 4 October at the usual venue of the St George Church Hall, Takapuna. The exhibition has a competitive section for one- and two-frames for adults and 8- and 16-pages for youth entries. The high achievers are recognised with the relevant one of a number (15) of fine trophies the club put up for this event and if a club has four or more entries it qualifies for consideration towards the Inter-Club Trophy.
North Shore is looking to have more than 30 competitive entries and would welcome interest from any philatelist who wants to exhibit. Entries are judged under the auspices of at least one National judge and a mark sheet and critique will be returned with the exhibit so the exhibitor can get some meaningful guidance about the future development of their exhibit.
Exhibitors who are exhibiting their exhibit at Baypex can be assured they will receive their entry back from North Shore in sufficient time to meet Baypex’s bin room requirements.
Entry forms are available by emailing the club at [email protected] and must be received no later than 26 September.
South Auckland 50th Anniversary
| The South Auckland Philatelic Society celebrated their 50th anniversary with a luncheon at Waipuna Lodge in Mt Wellington on 5 July 2014. Forty six members, family and friends attended. Among them were five presidents, three secretaries and three treasurers of the society. Note was made of how the way and what we collect has changed over fifty years and technology has changed how we research and present our collections to each other. What hasn’t changed is the friendships we foster and keep with each other. After a buffet lunch and cutting of the cake, patron Barbara Streeter presented everyone with a commemorative coffee mug filled with chocolates to complete an enjoyable afternoon. |  |
Waikato
The Ambury Shield will be held on Saturday 8 November in the usual venue, Fairfield Baptist Church Hall, Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton. South Auckland are the host society.
Exhibiting classes have changed from recent years with a postcard class now included.
- Traditional New Zealand, 4 or 8 pages – One issue or one topic displays of NZ stamps
- Traditional Commonwealth, 4 or 8 pages – One issue or one topic displays from any Comm. country
- Traditional Rest of World, 4 or 8 pages – One issue or one topic displays of any other country
- Modern, 4 or 8 pages – Philatelic material of any country or on any topic, issued since 2000
- Post Cards, 8 pages – Pictorial post cards
- Postal History, 8 pages – Studies of postal routes, rates, and postmarks
- Thematic, 8 pages – Subject displays using a wide variety and range of world philatelic material
- Open, 8 pages – Subject displays with both philatelic and up to 50% non-philatelic material
- Other, 8 pages – Displays not otherwise provided for
e.g. revenues, cinderellas, aerophilately, postal stationery, polar, maximum cards, FDCs etc
The speaker is Denise Rosenfeldt on ‘Z519 AK-TIM 11 Aug 1962
Philatelic Youth Council – Stamp Camp 2014
The Philatelic Youth Council ran its annual stamp camp between 6 and 12 July 2014 at the No4 Air Training Corps Squadron Training Centre, Ardmore Airport in Auckland. Twelve youth campers and nine adults attended from Auckland, Hutt Valley and Christchurch.
 The campers at the Polish Heritage Trust Museum with their wycinanki creations, a Polish paper cutting traditition. |
Each camper completed an exhibit between 4-pages and 3-frames depending on their age and experience which was judged at the end of the week and awards presented on the last evening. Exhibits will be entered in one or more of the PYC inter club competition, Baypex, Adelaide and Malaysian exhibitions. While their exhibits were being judged, the campers had a day out doing a car rally, stopping off at the Polish Heritage Trust Museum and having a round of mini golf. |
Accords
The appointment of Jenny Banfield as commissioner is the start of the accord with the Emirates Philatelic Association. Jenny will attend one of three national exhibitions to be held in the region later this year. Jenny’s appointment will be well received given her, and husband Norman’s, significant contribution to the development of philately in the GCC.
Exhibitions
Baypex 2014
The Baypex Exhibition will be held in Taradale, Napier on 14 – 16 November 2014. Entries closed after being extended for a month on 31 July.
The exhibition is also hosting the Australasian Challenge, an event which encourages Australian state and NZ regional (North Island, South Island) commissioners to secure the strongest possible representative teams in an effort to try and win the coveted trophy. This is a good opportunity to see some of the very best 5 frame exhibits in the region, many of which will be national or international Gold medal winners.
For more information about the exhibition please use the Baypex website: www.baypex.org.nz
Stampex 2014 (Adelaide, 10 -12 October 2014)
Commissioner, Sue Vernall, has been able to obtain 30 frames from 12 exhibitors.
Malaysia 2014 (Kuala Lumpur, 1 – 6 December 2014)
Jeff Long has submitted for consideration 11 youth entries to this exhibition, which was originally intended to be a World Youth Exhibition but is now doubling as the 29th Asian International Stamp Exhibition (with FIP and FIAP patronage).
Sydney 2015 National Stamp Show (16 – 19 April 2015)
Lindsay Chitty has been appointed to be NZ’s commissioner to this Australian national exhibition. The exhibition is being held to commemorate the Centenary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in 1915. A full range of classes are being offered and entries close on 12 December 2015.
Taiwan 2015 (Taipei 24-28 April 2015)
The Chinese Taipei Philatelic Federation is hosting the 30th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, with FIAP patronage. Norman Banfield has been appointed commissioner and will also participate in the FIAP executive committee meeting that will be held at this event given his role as FIAP secretary.
Singapore 2015 (14th – 19th August 2015)
Stephen Chivers has been appointed as NZ Commissioner to this FIP exhibition. He is currently seeking exhibits in the following classes; traditional, postal history, aerophilately, astrophilately, revenue, postal stationery, thematic, youth, literature, maximaphily, one frame and Modern promotional class. Youth entries are free.
Entries close on 5 January 2015 but early expressions of interest would be appreciated.
Hong Kong 2015 (20 – 23 November 2015)
No details are yet available for the 31st Asian International Stamp Exhibition, the second FIAP event of 2015.
Philakorea 2014 (Seoul, 7 – 12 August 2014)
The Philakorea exhibition opened with significant pomp and ceremony involving multiple personnel cutting the opening ribbon and speeches from dignitaries, including welcoming remarks from Philakorea’s honorary Chairman Choi yang-hee, the Minister for Science, ICT & Future Planning.
 NZ’s commissoner immortalised on a personalised Korea Post issue – one of thousands to do so at the exhibition. |
This was followed by performances from a Korean popera group (La Speranza) and the gayageum (a traditional Korean stringed instrument) orchestra from one of the local universities. The provision of live musical and drama performances in a special area of the exhibition hall was an interesting feature of the exhibition, adding to the philatelic activities available.The exhibition organisers made a significant effort to engage families and children in the event, providing the opportunity to get a range of personalised philatelic opportunities including stamps (see at right) and do-it-yourself personalised postal stationery (where you sent a picture from your cell phone and got a free postal stationery card with that image on it). A children’s competition to design your own stamp was held before the event with entrants all getting a small souvenir sheet of their stamp design with stamps valued at local postage rates. They also provided a complete postal service at the exhibition, accompanied by a well-supported philatelic and postal cancel area. |
New Zealand was well represented at the exhibition in terms of physical and exhibit presence.
Jeff Long was employed in the judging team, adjudicating on Traditional exhibits.
Our competing exhibitors all scored well earning Vermeil or Large Vermeil medals with Warrick Wright’s entry in the Youth section winning praise from the judges (Youth team leader said “it is a fantastic exhibit, the judges loved it”) and a special prize [a pewter mug provided from the Association of Singapore Philatelists].
Results were as follows;
Phil Platt Sarawak, the Three Rajahs Traditional 80 V
Monica Comrie Australian Civil Censorship WWII Postal History, 83, V
Ross Marshall German Foreign Postal Rates 1922 – 23 Postal History, 87, LV
Norman Banfield Australia King George VI Postal Stationery, 82, V
Len Jury NZ Postal Cards & Lettercards to 1932 Postal Stationery, 85, LV
Warrick Wright Revenue Gathering Stamps of NZ Youth, 91, LV, SP
In addition, invited exhibits from Jenny Banfield (Medicine – Its History & Development) and Jeff Long (NZ’s Advice of Receipt Service 1892 – 2009) were also on display.
At the FIP Congress held during Philakorea FIP President Tay Peng Hian of Singapore was re-elected for another term. He noted in his address before the voting that the higher level of engagement now being seen amongst the nations of the Asia-Pacific region had made his job a lot easier and he valued the support this region provided to him and also to international philatelic activities. At the same congress, Australia’s Bernie Beston, a respected friend of NZ philately, was elected to the position of FIP Vice President (FIAP region) with Thailand’s Dr Prakob Chirakiti elected to the Directors position vacated by Mr Beston.
Profile
Terry Isaac (Central Region delegate and Treasurer)
 |
Terry grew up in Auckland and at 9 or 10 drifted into stamp collecting when his father resumed a long-neglected interest. Initially it was “whatever he could get”. In his teens they began concentrating on the “Two Reigns” (George VI/QE II) SG catalogue and getting “Castlecliff” approvals from Wanganui. His father had large bags of used health stamps from the 1930s which were sold to Castlecliff to finance their purchases! Annual visits to family in Wellington came to include regular visits to a certain Mr Rowell in Cable Car Lane. |
Apart from one visit to the Auckland PS as a teenager, he didn’t join a club until the early 1970s when he and his family stayed with friends in Ohura, Taranaki – and found the husband (Earl Howe, now NZSDA secretary!) was running Taranaki PS circuits! He continued as a Taranaki PS member for several years but moved to Lower Hutt in 1973 and joined Hutt Valley P.S. One problem: an unavoidable commitment on the same night meant he seldom got to meetings, so he eventually joined Upper Hutt as well and went there. Then in 1986 he moved to Upper Hutt – and found he had a work-related commitment on THEIR meeting night!
In 2001, he reduced to part-time work, could attend regularly, and joined the Upper Hutt Committee. In 2002, they needed a new secretary so he took over in July. The club was questioning whether Federation membership was worth it, so he went to the AGM in Wellington that year and asked questions, especially about a proposal for a subscription increase. (No case had been made for it and it was defeated!). When nomination forms for Central Region Delegate came round in 2003, the club committee asked if they could nominate him. He protested “No-one in the Region outside the Hutt Valley knows me” and looked on it as a sort of protest nomination: but he won easily and has just begun a further term unopposed.
In 2006 he was also asked to take on the Federation Treasurer’s job. He found Federation was paying over $1,000 a year in GST and asked “why”? The result was de-registering for GST, not only saving money but greatly simplifying the accounts which (a major issue for not-for-profit groups) had had to separate what was and wasn’t subject to GST. Two years later he separated out a legacy into what is now the Fletcher-Cole Charitable Trust, later adding gifts for education/training purposes: this avoids tax on the income on that money and also allows Federation to make full direct use of its $1,000 not-for-profit rebate on the remaining interest! (A subs increase was finally made in 2010!)
Apart from a single entry in the 1980s in a Hutt Valley club competition (there were only 3 entries and he came 3rd) he had never tried exhibiting. In 2001 he entered the Upper Hutt monthly 1 page competition and won it. Next year, he thought he should put something in the club’s almost moribund annual 4-, -8 and 16-page annual competition so tried 16 pages using stamps only to tell the story of Tristan da Cunha. There were only three entries, one in each class and he got the 16-page and overall trophies. That began a revival in the annual competition which one year later reached 16 entries across the classes and this year had eight one-frame entries!
He put his toe in the water nationally at Tarapex 2008, his “Ascension Island”1 frame getting the novice award and 5 frames on “Taranaki Returned Mail 1991-2001” (the material for which hadn’t cost him a cent as it was saved from the office rubbish bin!) a bronze. His next try was Palmpex where he entered “Tristan Cachets and Cancels”, getting a ruby/large vermeil. His other main interest besides the South Atlantic Islands (including St. Helena) is Canada, majoring on Aero; he had 2 entries at Blenpex for Canadian Semi-Official Airmails and Newfoundland Airmails, repeating the former at Upper Hutt where he was also chairman of the organising committee. Terry has spoken on these areas and also on PNG, Tonga and Commonwealth Eastern Caribbean at Central Region clubs and youth stamp camps.
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